"The Author, it must be remembered, writes from his own standpoint!"My personal "Interpretive" Lens!

Do You Have A Question?

If you have a question not covered in this blog feel free to send it to me at my email address, i.e. "snow" dot here "covered" dot here "bamboo" AT symbol here "gmail" dot here "com"

"One thing has always been true: That book ... or ... that person who can give me an idea or a new slant on an old idea is my friend." - Louis L'Amour

"Ideally, your self-defense will never get physical. Avoiding the situation and running or talking you way out - either of these is a higher order of strategy than winning a physical battle." - Wise Words of Rory Miller, Facing Violence: Chapter 7: after, subparagraph 7.1:medical

"Read not to contradict and confute; nor to believe and take for granted; nor to find talk and discourse; but to weigh and consider..." - Francis Bacon

Warning, Caveat and Note:The postings on this blog are my interpretation of readings, studies and experiences therefore errors and omissions are mine and mine alone. The content surrounding the extracts of books, see bibliography on this blog site, are also mine and mine alone therefore errors and omissions are also mine and mine alone and therefore why I highly recommended one read, study, research and fact find the material for clarity. My effort here is self-clarity toward a fuller understanding of the subject matter. See the bibliography for information on the books.

Note: I will endevor to provide a bibliography and italicize any direct quotes from the materials I use for this blog. If there are mistakes, errors, and/or omissions, I take full responsibility for them as they are mine and mine alone. If you find any mistakes, errors, and/or omissions please comment and let me know along with the correct information and/or sources.

Reader's of this Blog

Search This Blog

Saying "No" to Sensei, is it proper or even allowed?

First, the unspoken legends of Asian Sensei silently conveying the entire system is based on a cultural belief system that outside those circles does not exist. Westerners are the absolute opposite of this model so communications is critical to adequately pass along martial arts teachings.

The Japanese/Asian cultures are of such rigid cultural form that often each person can intuitively perceive what is expected of them while westerners rely heavily on various forms of communications, i.e. words, body language to include facial expressions and tone or intonation in the melody of the spoken words.

In one instance a practitioner of a koryu system in Japan was told by his Sensei when he was given permission to teach the system, "you are not Japanese, when you return to the west, teach as is proper to westerners." Westerners or Americans rely heavily on verbal type communications. In my view it is a matter of combining holistically teachings by sense, i.e. the sense of sight; the sense of sound and the sense of touch.

So, as to the question asked ..... in our country even if the system taught is classic/traditional one should be allowed to communicate or question the Sensei and it is imperative the Sensei have the ability to communicate effectively the system in its entirety. Anything less is "bullshit." When you spend the time, effort and due diligence in a training hall it is required and expected that the training hall and its service providers give back in kind.

A good sensei must have the confidence and ability to communicate effectively as well as lead by example. If they don't then a student, practitioner or karate-ka, as the situation dictates, should say "no" when appropriate and with appropriate respect but then again if that is not possible - don't walk away, run. Take that time to find someone who is willing to actually teach the entire system and remain open to the relationship necessary to achieve success for the person, the sensei and the dojo.

This Internet Site is for informational purposes only, strictly an academic endeavor, so do not try to practice or utilize any of the information contained herein with out close mentoring by a complete and fully qualified Sensei.

Your participation is voluntary when you practice FA/MA so the onus is on you to provide for your own safety. You MUST have a qualified Sensei and you MUST have a physician's health assessment along with his/her approval to enter into and participate in any and all fighting/martial art.

Understand that to participate continually and diligently you will be voluntarily submitting your mind and body to potentially dangerous activity that is strenuous with both mental and physical challenges. Your practice, both in the Dojo and on your own, opens you to possible injuries that can result in permanent disability, deformity, or even death.

It is your responsibility to remain focused, aware, and take appropriate actions to provide for your own safety, health, and well-being. If any part of your practice is questionable you are the only one responsible to bring it to Sensei's attention and to either participate of not. You MUST work within your personal limitations.

Disclaimer!

Every effort is being made to make this blog site as accurate as possible. However, there may be mistakes, both typographical and in content. Therefore, this blog should be used only as a general guide and not the ultimate source of practicing and training in the fighting arts. Furthermore, this blog site contains information on the fighting arts that is current only up to the publishing date and time.

The purpose of this blog site is to educate and entertain. The author shall have neither liability nor responsibility to any person or entity with respect to any loss or damage caused, or alleged to have been caused , directly or indirectly, by the information contained in this blog site.

When it comes to martial arts, fighting arts or self-defense, etc. nothing here no matter how well presented, can substitute for qualified professional, hands on instruction provided that instructor is properly educated and trained. This blog site and all its materials are for academic study ONLY.

If you do not wish to be bound by the above, you may navigate away from the site at any time.